In this episode, Jenna Zeihen, who lives with mast cell activation syndrome, discusses the impact of chronic illness on identity and the challenges of finding oneself amidst it. The conversation explores trauma bonds within the chronic illness community, the unique loneliness experienced by those who don't fit into the healthy world or the chronically ill community, and the emotional complexities of living with a chronic illness. Jenna explains mast cell activation syndrome in simple terms, using the analogy of bath bombs, and shares her journey of seeking a diagnosis and the biases she encountered within the medical system. Jenna Zeihen shares her journey of living with a chronic illness and finding her identity amidst the challenges. She discusses her struggles with gastrointestinal problems, getting diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, and the impact of medical trauma on her mental health. Jenna talks about sharing stories and finding support within the 'sick chick' community. She also highlights the need to let go of guilt and apologize for her illness and offers words of encouragement for her future self and others facing similar challenges.

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More about Jenna:

My name is Jenna Zeihen, I am a social media marketer, entrepreneur, founder, and director of Soul Space LLC, a workshop-based access point offering free workshops to adults that center around the power of human connection, former Miss America girly, and I am a formula dependant 25-year-old with a condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. I am passionate about ll things creative, I am an avid journaler (25+ volumes of Jenna!) I also talk about my struggles with ADHD/OCD, and I just freakin love people. :)

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